City comparison
No. Gilbert's crime index is 47 versus 223 in Washington, and its violent crime index is 37 versus 243, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Washington is cheaper. Median rent is $1,954 a month versus $2,110 in Gilbert.
Safety is where Washington and Gilbert split most clearly. Gilbert scores 176 points better on the crime index, a gap that shows up in evening walks, parking situations, and insurance rates. Rent runs $1,954 in Washington and $2,110 in Gilbert.
Gilbert is not a close call here. It leads on the job market, safety, and weather by margins that add up in daily life. Washington makes sense if you have a specific reason, a job offer, family, or a neighborhood you already know, but on the numbers alone Gilbert is the stronger move.
The crime gap is citywide. Gilbert has rougher pockets and Washington has quiet ones: the index tells you the average, not your block.
The move
Washington and Gilbert are 1,965 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,954 a month in Washington to $2,110 a month in Gilbert, up $156 a month (8%).
Median household income goes from $109,870 in Washington to $122,551 in Gilbert, up $12,681 (12%).
The crime index goes from 223 in Washington to 47 in Gilbert, down 176 points (79%).
The move
Gilbert and Washington are 1,965 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,110 a month in Gilbert to $1,954 a month in Washington, down $156 a month (7%).
Median household income goes from $122,551 in Gilbert to $109,870 in Washington, down $12,681 (10%).
The crime index goes from 47 in Gilbert to 223 in Washington, up 176 points (374%).
Washington, DC
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Gilbert, AZ
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Washington and Gilbert? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
7% cheaper
Washington rent is 7% cheaper than Gilbert
Washington
Winner$1,954/mo
Gilbert
$2,110/mo
Typical rent runs $1,954 a month in Washington versus $2,110 in Gilbert, so Washington is 7% cheaper. The monthly spread is about $156, or $1,872 a year: noticeable, but rent alone should not pick the city. Use this as a tie-breaker after you compare income, schools, and crime, unless you are already stretching every dollar.
Planning to buy in Gilbert? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
12% higher
Gilbert's median income is 12% higher than Washington
Washington
$109,870
Gilbert
Winner$122,551
Median household income is $122,551 in Gilbert versus $109,870 in Washington, so typical pay runs 12% higher in Gilbert (about $12,681 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, Gilbert is the stronger labor market on paper. Washington can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
79% lower crime
Gilbert's crime index is 79% lower than Washington
Washington
223 (100 = avg)
Gilbert
Winner47 (100 = avg)
Gilbert's crime index is 47 versus 223 in Washington (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 79% lower in Gilbert. That gap is meaningful day-to-day. It affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Gilbert is the easier city. Washington can still work if you pick the right pocket. Just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.
Typical weather
39% more comfortable
Gilbert weather is 39% more comfortable than Washington
Washington
55°F avg · 62°F highs · comfort 72/100
Gilbert
Winner80°F avg · 87°F highs · comfort 100/100
Washington averages about 55°F (62°F highs); Gilbert averages about 80°F (87°F highs). Washington averages around 55°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. Gilbert sits near 80°F on average, a range where people can be outside without fighting extreme heat or cold. Gilbert scores 39% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Washington if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
People with a job, family, or neighborhood already pulling them to Washington
Washington is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 7% cheaper here at about $1,954 a month. Choose Washington if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 12% higher ($122,551), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 80°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Gilbert is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 79% lower than Washington (47 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Bottom line
Crime and safety tilt toward Gilbert: Gilbert scores 83/100 versus 36/100 in Washington, with typical rent at $2,110 versus $1,954. I would vet the exact ZIP in Washington before trading 47 safety points for housing savings.
Safety still diverges (83/100 in Gilbert vs 36/100 in Washington), so climate preference should not be the only filter.
Median income is $122,551 in Gilbert versus $109,870 in Washington.
Gilbert clears the bar on safety in this dataset. Washington deserves a serious look only when you already know the Washington block you would live on and the safety gap is acceptable.
Common questions
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Next steps
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Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Washington and Gilbert, plus other cities in DC and AZ.
